Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Environmental Fungal Risk in Health Facilities

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Exposure to Microbiological Agents in Indoor and Occupational Environments

Abstract

Indoor fungal contamination is associated with a wide range of adverse health effects, including infectious diseases, allergies and toxic effects. Various indoor environments are concerned by fungal health risk, particularly hospitals and critical care environments where immunosuppressed patients are hosted. Prevention of nosocomial invasive fungal infections in health-care facilities is mainly based on air treatment with monitoring environmental fungal contamination and epidemiological follow-up of invasive fungal infections. After reminding the reservoir of fungi at hospitals and the routes of transmission, we review what measures of fungal risk control should be implemented and tools that are relevant for an efficient environmental monitoring.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 109.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Alberti C, Bouakline A, Ribaud P et al (2001) Relationship between environmental fungal contamination and the incidence of invasive aspergillosis in hematology patients. J Hosp Infect 48:198–206

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Anonymous Canada (2001) Canadian Communicable Disease Report. Construction-related nosocomial infections in patients in health care facilities. Volume 27S2, July 2001. http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/ccdr-rmtc/01vol27/27s2/index.html

  • Anonymous Ireland (2001) National Disease Surveillance Centre Ireland. National guidelines for the prevention of nosocomial invasive aspergillosis during construction/renovation activities. http://www.ndsc.ie/hpsc/A-Z/Respiratory/Aspergillosis/Guidance/File,896,en.pdf. 2001

  • Arnow PM, Sadigh M, Costas C et al (1991) Endemic and epidemic aspergillosis associated with in-hospital réplication of Aspergillus organisms. J Infect Dis 164:998–1002

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Araujo R, Carneiro A, Costa-Oliveira S et al (2008) Fungal infections after haematology unit renovation: evidence of clinical environmental and economical impact. Eur J Haematol 80:436–443

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Asmundsdóttir LR, Erlendsdóttir H, Haraldsson G et al (2008) Molecular epidemiology of candidemia: evidence of clusters of smoldering nosocomial infections. Clin Infect Dis 47:e17–24

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Anaissie EJ, Stratton SL, Dignani MC et al (2003) Pathogenic molds (including Aspergillus species) in hospital water distribution systems: a 3-year prospective study and clinical implications for patients with hematologic malignancies. Blood 101:2542–2546

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Barreiros G, Akiti T, Magalhães AC et al (2015) Effect of the implosion and demolition of a hospital building on the concentration of fungi in the air. Mycoses 58(12):707–13

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bénet T, Nicolle MC, Thiebaut A et al (2007) Reduction of invasive aspergillosis incidence among immunocompromised patients after control of environmental exposure. Clin Infect Dis 45:682–686

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bergeron V, Reboux G, Poirot JL et al (2007) Decreasing airborne contamination levels in high-risk hospital areas using a novel mobile air-treatment unit. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 28:1181–1186

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bouakline A, Lacroix C, Roux N et al (2000) Fungal contamination of food in hematology units. J Clin Microbiol 38:4272–4273

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Brillowska-Dabrowska A, Schön T, Pannanusorn S et al (2009) A nosocomial outbreak of Candida parapsilosis in southern Sweden verified by genotyping. Scand J Infect Dis 41:135–142

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (1997) CDC guidelines for prevention of nosocomial pneumonia. MMWR 39:1192–1236

    Google Scholar 

  • Chang CC, Ananda-Rajah M, Belcastro A et al (2014) Consensus guidelines for implementation of quality processes to prevent invasive fungal disease and enhanced surveillance measures during hospital building works, 2014. Intern Med J 44(12b):1389–97

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng VC, Chan JF, Ngan AH et al (2009) Outbreak of intestinal infection due to Rhizopus microsporus. J Clin Microbiol 47:2834–2843

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Cornet M, Levy V, Fleury L et al (1999) Efficacy of prevention by high-efficiency particulaite air filtration or laminar airflow against Aspergillus airborne contamination during hospital renovation. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 20:508–513

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cornillet A, Camus C, Nimubona S et al (2006) Comparison of epidemiological, clinical, and biological features of invasive aspergillosis in neutropenic and nonneutropenic patients: a 6-year survey. Clin Infect Dis 43:577–584

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Davoudi S, Graviss LS, Kontoyiannis DP (2015) Healthcare-associated outbreaks due to Mucorales and other uncommon fungi. Eur J Clin Invest 45(7):767–73

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • De Bock R, Gyssens I, Peetermans M et al (1989) Aspergillus in pepper. Lancet 2:331–332

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eckmanns T, Rüden H, Gastmeier P (2006) The influence of high-efficiency particulate air filtration on mortality and fungal infection among highly immunosuppressed patients: a systematic review. J Infect Dis 193:1408–1418

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fernandez-Gerlinger MP, Jannot AS, Rigaudeau S et al (2016) The plasmair decontamination system is protective against invasive Aspergillosis in neutropenic patients. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 37(7):845–51

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • French Consensus Conference (2000) [Prevention of invasive aspergillosis in immunosuppressed at risk population]. Hygiènes VII(6)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gangneux JP, Bretagne S, Cordonnier C et al (2002) Prevention of nosocomial fungal infection: the French approach. Clin Infect Dis 35:343–345

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gangneux JP, Noussair L, Bouakline A (2004) Experimental assessment of disinfection procedures for eradication of Aspergillus fumigatus in food. Blood 104:2000–2002

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gangneux JP, Robert-Gangneux F, Gicquel G et al (2006) Bacterial and fungal counts in hospital air: comparative yields for 4 sieve impactor air samplers with 2 culture media. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 27:1405–1408

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Haiduven D (2009) Nosocomial aspergillosis and building construction. Med Mycol 47(Suppl 1):S210–6

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kazan E, Maertens J, Herbrecht R et al (2011) A retrospective series of gut aspergillosis in haematology patients. Clin Microbiol Infect 17:588–594

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Landrin A, Bissery A, Kac G (2005) Monitoring air sampling in operating theatres: can particle counting replace microbiological sampling? J Hosp Infect 61:27–9

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Latgé JP (1999) Aspergillus fumigatus and aspergillosis. Clin Microbiol Rev 12:310–350

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Lequilliec N, Raymond R, Vanjak D, Baghdadi N, Boulestreau H, Zahar JR, Gangneux JP, (2017) Practices of infectious control management during neutropenia: A survey from 149 French hospitals. Journal de Mycologie Médicale / Journal of Medical Mycology 27 (2):227–231

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Loo VG, Bertrand C, Dixon C et al (1996) Control of construction-associated nosocomial aspergillosis in an antiquated hematology unit. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 17:360–364

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lortholary O, Gangneux JP, Sitbon K et al (2011) Epidemiological trends in invasive aspergillosis in France: the SAIF network (2005-2007). Clin Microbiol Infect 17:1882–1889

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mahieu LM, De Dooy JJ, Van Laer FA et al (2000) A prospective study on factors influencing Aspergillus spore load in the air during renovation works in a neonatal intensive care unit. J Hosp Infect 45:191–197

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Méheust D, Gangneux JP, Cann PL (2013) Comparative evaluation of three impactor samplers for measuring airborne bacteria and fungi concentrations. J Occup Environ Hyg 10(8):455–9

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Méheust D, Le Cann P, Reboux G et al (2014) Indoor fungal contamination: health risks and measurement methods in hospitals, homes and workplaces. Crit Rev Microbiol 40(3):248–60

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Patterson TF, Thompson 3rd GR, Denning DW et al (2016) Practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of Aspergillosis: 2016 Update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clin Infect Dis 63(4):e1–e60

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Perfect JR, Hachem R, Wingard JR (2014) Update on epidemiology of and preventive strategies for invasive fungal infections in cancer patients. Clin Infect Dis 59(Suppl 5):S352–5

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Piechno S, Seguin P, Gangneux JP (2007) Septiciémie due à Saccharomyces boulardii: attention aux levures. Can J Anaesth 54:245–246

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Poirot JL, Gangneux JP, Fischer A et al (2007) Evaluation of a new mobile system for protecting immune-suppressed patients against airborne contamination. Am J Infect Control 35:460–466

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reboux G, Gbaguidi-Haore H, Bellanger AP et al (2014) A 10-year survey of fungal aerocontamination in hospital corridors: a reliable sentinel to predict fungal exposure risk? J Hosp Infect 87(1):34–40

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sautour M, Sixt N, Dalle F (2007) Prospective survey of indoor fungal contamination in hospital during a period of building construction. J Hosp Infect 67:367–373

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • SF2H-SFMM Working Group (2011) Risk of fungal infections and construction works in hospitals. Hygienes 19:1-52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sherertz RJ, Belani A, Kramer BS et al (1987) Impact of air filtration on nosocomial Aspergillus infections. Unique risk of bone marrow transplant recipients. Am J Med 83:709–718

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sixt N, Dalle F, Lafon I (2007) Reduced fungal contamination of the indoor environment with the Plasmair system (Airinspace). J Hosp Infect 65:156–162

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vermorel-Faure O, Lebeau B, Mallaret MR et al (1993) [Food-related fungal infection risk in agranulocytosis. Mycological control of 273 food items offered to patients hospitalized in sterile units]. Presse Med 22:157–160

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vonberg RP, Gastmeier P (2006) Nosocomial aspergillosis in outbreak settings. J Hosp Infect 63:246–254

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mycology and Parasitology Laboratory, Rennes Teaching Hospital, CHU de Rennes, 2 rue Henri le Guilloux, Rennes, France

    Jean-Pierre Gangneux

  2. Institut de Recherche en Santé Environnement et Travail, INSERM UMR U1085, Université Rennes 1, Rennes, France

    Jean-Pierre Gangneux

Authors
  1. Jean-Pierre Gangneux
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jean-Pierre Gangneux .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Lisbon School of Health Technology Environment and Health RG, Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

    Carla Viegas

  2. Lisbon School of Health Technology Environment and Health RG, Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

    Susana Viegas

  3. Lisbon School of Health Technology Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

    Anita Gomes

  4. Department Health Protection, National Institute for Health & Welfare, Kuopio, Finland

    Martin Täubel

  5. National Health Institute Portugal, Lisbon, Portugal

    Raquel Sabino

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Gangneux, JP. (2017). Environmental Fungal Risk in Health Facilities. In: Viegas, C., Viegas, S., Gomes, A., Täubel, M., Sabino, R. (eds) Exposure to Microbiological Agents in Indoor and Occupational Environments. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-61688-9_14

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation